I Rejected You, Alpha

AIDEN’S POV

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When Eleia went missing, my heart shattered, I couldn’t feel her, but I knew she was alive at least because if something bad did happen, I would have felt that.

But the relief when her mind link came through gave me enough hope to breathe, it made me think straight for once in a few days, but the relief that I felt when I saw her face coming running towards me went straight out of the window when I heard the gun shot go off and I saw her falling forward, throwing a kid behind a tree before she hit the ground.

It was like every fibre of my body turned into flames, like I blacked out from the anger blazing inside and I just jumped to kill the human who dared to shoot at the love of my life. He was dead within seconds, but the other guy shot me, but the anger bubbling inside of my chest pumped adrenaline through me and only after Stefan and I tore him to shreds, that’s when I realised that I was shot… Stefan tried to pick me up, but he was injected with something and couldn’t carry me far before he collapsed too.

But getting shot is not my biggest concern, my concern now is that Eleia, being a mom of our two sons, now has a little girl she wants to take in.

I don’t mind the little girl, but how will Eleia give attention to all of them equally?

Will she give more attention to the girl who lost her real parents?

Will the little girl feel left out?

I mean, she isn’t that young and she knows that we are not her real parents…

Did Eleia even talk to the girl?

All these questions keep on circling my brain as I sit on the bed, waiting to be discharged- and by that, I mean I’m waiting for Eleia to come. I don’t need her to come, I can leave any second, but she insisted that I wait for her.

When she came to get me, she came alone with a big smile and wide eyes. “What took you so long?” I grin as she struts toward me, her h**s swaying side to side, her jeans hugging her waist perfectly before she wraps her arms around my body, resting her head against my chest. Once I hold her, I inhale her daisy scent and it reminds me of the first day I ever smelled her.

I hold her against my chest, my heart beating steadily, slowly speeding up. “I’m so relieved you’re safe.” I mumble and I could feel her cheeks rise against my chest.

“Me too, I just wanted to come home.” she mumbles, her voice cracking and I push her back, looking down into her emerald orbs that are a bit glassy, “Don’t cry, you’re fine. You’re here.” I smile down at her, cupping her cheek and I drag my thumb over her cheek.

“Let’s go home, there’s someone I want you to meet.” She smiles and I know that she’s talking about Cleo. She has not stopped talking about her, but she also didn’t want her to meet me in the hospital because she thought it would be too scary for the little girl.

When entering the castle, Felix and the little girl are playing snakes and ladders on a blanket while the nanny sits with Arlen while he chews on a teething toy.

I laugh at the sight and Felix runs to me, “Daddy! Mommy is back, did you see?” he beams excitedly. “I see.” I smile, ruffling his hair. “Cleo.” Eleia calls over the blonde little girl and she shyly hides behind my mate, glancing up at me with her piercing sky blue eyes.

I slowly bend down to my knee, smiling at her and I hold out my hand, “Hi, I’m Aiden.” I introduce myself and her little hand holds onto Eleia’s leg while she stares at me with wide eyes.

“What’s your name?” I ask, “Cleo.” she mutters, her thin lips barely moving.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smile at her and she returns a soft little smile, her cheeks raising. “Do you want ice cream?” I offer, “Oh, I do, I do!” Felix jumps up and down and she glances at him, smiling before she looks back at me, nodding.

“What do we say?” Eleia looks down at her, her hand resting on the back of Cleo’s head. “Thank you.” Cleo genuinely smiles at me, with teeth and everything and my heart just cracks open, bursting with love for this little girl I barely know.

Perhaps it’s the fact that Eleia wants her, to be her mom, or just because she looks so small and cute, but this little girl needs a family and we are that.

“Then let’s get some ice cream.” I stand, clapping my hands and Cleo takes Eleia’s hand and Felix takes mine as we walk to the kitchen.

Entering, the chef stops us at the door, “My King and Queen, what can I get you?”, “Ice cream and six bowls.” I grin and Eleia looks at me weirdly, “It would be rude to leave the babysitter out.” I shrug and she smiles, nodding.

As we all sit on the floor, eating ice cream, my eyes widen when Cleo stands up and comes plopping down next to me with a big smile, the chocolate ice cream sitting around her mouth.

Just as she rests her head against my arm, a clearing of a throat makes my head whip into the direction of the door where Stefan stands with a serious look on his face, his lips pressed into a thin line and his hands behind his back. “What is it?” I ask calmly, not wanting to upset the children with a hostile tone even though the look on my best friend’s face makes me want to murder someone for interrupting this moment I am having.

Stefan’s eyes flicks to Cleo and I watch as his face sinks while his throat bobs, the uncomfortable look on his face making me sigh and I look down at the sweet angel resting her head against my shoulder, eating her ice cream unbothered. “It’s about the girl.” He finally manages to say and Eleia gets to her feet faster than I can look at my best friend with concern.

“What about her?” she asks defensively and I could see it in her eyes, she loves her already. She’s in protective momma bear mode and if this wasn’t a situation, I would be turned on by it.

“Sorry.” I mutter to Cleo before standing up, putting my bowl down on the nearest table. “Outside.” I demand and walk out, Eleia following suite. I know there’s no way I could tell her she has to stay, she wouldn’t listen anyway.

We walk down the steps and a few feet away from the entrance of the castle, “Speak.” I grit out.

I just know this is bad news, I can feel it in my bones.

“A man showed up at the border five minutes ago, demanding the child return home.” his throat bobs as he glances at Eleia.

“No, she’s ours.” she seethes, her eyes blazing with anger. “Eleia.” I try to calm her as I reach for her hand, “No, Zac left her with me. If he wanted her to go home, he would have said that.” she bellows and I am pretty sure that the kids can hear us.

“Alpha Reece demands it.” Stefan looks at me and I know exactly who he’s talking about. Alpha Reece is not a bad man, he cares and just wants what is good for his pack, that includes Cleo.

“I will contact him…”, “No, what? You can’t!” she bellows, “To ask him if we can adopt her.” I finish my sentence in a loud voice that over powers hers and she falls silent, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Really?” she bats her eyes at me, “Really.” I nod and she jumps towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” she whispers, her voice filled with relief.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“She’s ours, no one is taking her.” I hug her back.